Cloudsdale erupted in an explosion cheering, the Cloud-iseum seething with waves of screaming Pegasy. It was over! It was all over, the competition had ended on such a high, that everypony knew who was about to win the trophy. The next best young flier was about to be crowned! Slowly everypony turned and looked up to the Princess’s booth, awaiting her decision.
An exhausted Scootaloo fluttered down from the performance area, panting and hovering an inch from the cloud ground with difficulty. “YOU DID IT!” A high pitched squeal screamed from the entrance. Pinkie Pie flung herself at the small pony. Scootaloo laughed with delight as the two tumbled to the soft cloud floor in a fit of giggles and flailing limbs.
Finally the two stood up, only to be knocked down again as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle toppled into their orange friend. “You were awesome Scoo’aloo!” yelled the teenage bow wearing pony.
“Yeah, that barrel roll was amazing!” Squealed Sweetie Belle with delight. Scootaloo wrapped her forelegs around both of their necks, she smiled and held them tight.
“What? Only the barrel roll?” She asked jokingly as she gave Sweetie Belle an extra squeeze. Pinkie watched with joy in her heart as the three teen mare’s giggled and laughed in happiness. Her eyes glanced across the artificial filling in Scoot’s hoof, it was ever so slightly a brighter shade than the rest of the hoof. It glinted in the sunlight that the small orange pony now bathed in.
Four years had passed since she had suffered that injury, and now here she was, the little filly who couldn’t even flap her wings. Now resting after the best routine any Pegasus could have given in the young fliers competition! She’d have even rivalled Dashie at some moments! Her cornering was amazing, she could tilt her body perfectly to soar in a completely different direction in the blink of an eye.
It hadn’t been easy, years of practise with Fluttershy teaching her the practise, countless nights spent out under the stars as Scoot refused to stop. She couldn’t break the sound barrier, Pinkie couldn’t think anypony but Dash could do that. But Scootaloo was good enough to warp the air around her when she reached her highest speeds.
Pinkie’s eyes began to well up with tears of pride for the pony who she now cared for like a sister. Scoot had stayed at Sugar Cube Corner after that night in the alley. She had stayed the night after that, and the one after that. Eventually, Pinkie simply decided to give Scootaloo her own personal room in the upper floors. And since then the two of them had lived together, caring for one another. Like sisters.
“AHHEM!” The crowd grew silent as they looked up to the princess who now cleared her throat, preparing to address them all. “Every flyer here today has shown great ability and skill! You are all worthy of the award ‘Best young flyer’ today.” Silence screamed out all around them. Pinkie edged closer to her little adopted sister, taking hold of her fixed hoof with her own. They stood here staring unblinkingly at the princess. “However.” She boomed, two Pegasy in Wonderbolt uniforms stood tall and walked up to either side of the princess.
Both wore their hoods and goggles, obscuring their faces. One wore the badge of the captain, it must be Soarin’. He balanced the crown of the winner on his back proudly, ready to bestow it upon the winner. The other had nothing special to their uniform, they simply stood there proudly, making the presentation look symmetrical.
“There can only be one winner today, and now...I give you... your winner!” She flung a hoof out, and pointed at the orange pony now clinging to Pinkie Pie with all her might! “SCOOTALOO!” The stadium nearly collapsed with the force of the crowds screams, but none could compete with the screams of the pink pony stood beside the new victor.
“YEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! YOU DID IT!” She squealed with excitement, she bounced around the new champion, circling her while cheering and screaming along with the rest of the crowd.
“E-excuse me?” Asked a firm, but soft voice. The two realised they had been approached by the Wonderbolt captain. Soarin’ stood there holding the crown in his teeth, he had obviously tried to get to Scootaloo, however the bouncing pink pony had stopped his every attempt. Pinkie grew still, though she still shook from the excitement that was brimming inside her.
“Thanks.” The stallion said simply. He then moved over to Scootaloo, who stood their frozen in shock. She hadn’t moved an inch from the moment her name had been called out. Soarin’ gently placed the golden band around the mare’s head. “Well done! That was amazing!” He said. Scootaloo’s eyes grew wide with amazement! Praise? From a Wonderbolt? This was amazing! Soarin’ looked back up to the princess’s podium, to the other Wonderbolt who still stood beside her majesty. “She liked it too!” He commented, the uniformed Wonderbolt glanced down at Soarin, Pinkie and the crusaders. She gave them all an encouraging nod and smiled at them.
Finally Scootaloo let out all of her bottled emotions. With a sudden scream she bolted into the air and twirled. “I WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!” Pinkie, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle all squealed again and jumped in the air with delight. Soarin’ chuckled at their reactions. He turned away, and slowly flew back up to the princess’s booth. As he did, he watched the orange and purple pony soar through the sky. She circled around and came back, soaring over the crowd in victory, they all irrupted into cheers yet again. That girl knew how to please a crowd.
After her victory lap Scoot settled back on the cloud floor next to Pinkie. The party pony grabbed hold of her shoulders, and shook her slightly with delight. “You did it! Come on, let’s go celebrate. C’mon girls!” She called to the two crusaders who stood close by. They needed to get out of Cloudsdale soon! Twilight’s spell wouldn’t last much longer, soon the ground based ponies wouldn’t be able to stand on the puffy cloud floor any longer!
“So?” Pinkie asked seriously of Scoot. “How would you like to celebrate? Wiiithhh...Cupcakes?” her serious face broke out into a huge grin. Scoot smiled at her and said in a low voice.
“Duhh! What else?” the two threw their arms over each other’s shoulders. They trotted away happily singing a little song as they headed for the balloon that would take them back home.
Cupcakes!
So sweet and tasty cupcakes!
Don’t be too hasty, Cupcakes!
Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcaaaaakkkes!
Through the lenses of the Wonderbolt goggles, the quiet Pegasus watched the ponies leave for Ponyville singing their little ridiculous song. Her pink watchful eyes followed them as they left the arena and headed for the baloon field just beyond. “Why don’t you go speak to them?” Soarin’ asked, he had finally returned to the private booth and had observed the pony watching the new champion walk away triumphantly. She smiled again. she glanced up at the curious face of Soarin’ then at the princess. She wasn’t looking her way, but the Pegasus knew she was listening.
“She doesn’t need me.” She chuckled confidently. “Look at them! Do they need reminding of me? They’re happy the way they are.” She shook her head, allowing her mane to flow out freely from behind her in the breeze. It was dazzlingly bright, each different coloured strand glinting with a unique sheen in the light. Rainbow Dash looked down one last time, they were climbing into their air balloon. Pinkie was boosting Scootaloo into the basket, the orange pony seemed to sag with exhaustion, and rightly so! She had been amazing! That little filly, who could only jump to try an reach her as she leafed for Cloudsdale all those years ago, she was now the best young flier in all of Equestria!
She focused on her old pink friend, she looked so happy, so did Scoot. They were made for each other, though you wouldn’t expect it, they really did make each other happy. That was all that mattered, as long as Scoot was happy, then there was no regret in Rainbow’s heart. If she hadn’t leafed, Scoot wouldn’t have found Pinkie, Scoot wouldn’t have found the encouragement that brought her here today! She wouldn’t have found her family!
Congratulations again to Derpy_Pie for winning the competition! Congrats, and I hope it was worth the entry! here's hoping you all enjoyed this little story! Always kind of wanted to do one on Scootaloo! xD